Old Corkscrew GC (13-15)

Zhang & Griffin Outlast at Old Corkscrew

Seventy-six juniors in the 13-15 age division this weekend headed down to Estero, FL to face one golf's toughest challenges...Old Corkscrew Golf Club.

Old Corkscrew Golf Club, designed, by Jack Nicklaus, is one of the toughest tests in Florida. The course is always in great condition and fun to play, however, shots that miss their mark are usually penalizing or require skilled recovery shots.

The boys division played the course at approximately 6,500 yards and faced warm windy conditions. After the first round two players were tied for lead, but many players were within a few shots. Anton Serafini, from Lake Mary, shot a 73 (+1) in the first round to hold a share of the lead with Andy Zhang, from Reunion. Zhang is the 14 year old that set records last year by becoming the youngest player ever to qualify for the US Open.

In the final round, players faced windy conditions once again. Zhang started off with four straight pars and then made bogeys on the 5th and 7th holes. A birdie on the par 5 8th got him back to one over on the day, but then a bogey on the 9th left him with a 38 on the front and just a one shot lead on Logan Membrino.

Membino, from Ponte Vedra Beach, shot a 75 in the first round and had a one-over par 37 on the front. Playing in the group ahead of the first round leaders, Membrino wasn't certain where he stood heading into the back nine. He shot a very solid 37 one the back nine for a 74 on the day and a 149 total (75-74).

Standing on the 18th tee at five over par for the tournament, Zhang thought to himself that he just needed a par to win, however, he didn't know that Membrino already posted a five over par total. On the 18th, Zhang hit a hybrid off the tee and had 129 yards for his second shot. Zhang said, "I was a little off with my irons all weekend, so since I thought I just needed par, I kinda didn't think much about the shot." The lack of thought sure paid off; Zhang hit a pitching wedge to about a foot from the hole. He tapped in for birdie and claimed a one shot victory; his first FJT title this year. Zhang is now preparing for his US Open Local Qualifier scheduled on May 9th and hopes to return to the US Open Championship.

Logan Membrino finished alone in second place and Parker Manson, from Winter Springs, finished in third place.

Griffin Bests Friend By One Stroke

Old Corkscrew has always been a particularly tough test for the girls division, however, a couple girls were able to post rounds in the low 70's.

In the first round, Kendall Griffin, from Sebring, got off to a hot start and posted a two over par 74 which gave her a four stroke advantage over her closest competitors.

The large lead quickly evaporated after a bogey on the the tenth (her first hole) and then a devastating 9 on the par 5 eleventh. Griffin was sure how she stood most of the day as the only girl that made a big charge was Emma Bradley.

Bradley, of Naples and friends with Griffin, struggled with her putter in round one (84), however, it caught fire on Sunday. She made birdies on the 11th, 14th, and 17th to make the turn at even par and only a few strokes behind Griffin. She kept up the great play by making birdies on the 2nd, and 6th. A one over par 73 in the final round put Bradley in the clubhouse at 157 (84-73).

Griffin steadied herself after the rough start and shot a 39 on her final nine holes which gave her an 82 on the day and a 156 total, which was just one stroke ahead of her friend, Bradley. A title for Griffin is fitting as she tied for second in her last two FJT tournaments.

Full results

Entries Open:  Friday, March 8th
Entry Deadline:  Wednesday, March 20th

Old Corkscrew Golf Club has hosted many FJT events in the past seven years and the course is always one of the best conditioned course the players see all year. It is also one of the most challenging courses the juniors face all season.

Click here to view the club's website.

Age Division

This tournament is for the 13-15 age division. Ages are calculated by the last day of the event.

Entry Fee

The entry fee of $95 (for GHIN handicap members) or $115 (non-GHIN handicap members) includes tournament rounds, range balls prior to tournament rounds, crystal trophies for the top three finishers, and a tee gift.

To receive the GHIN handicap price, the player, or one of the players' parents must have an active GHIN handicap at a club in Florida. The seven digit GHIN number must be submitted with the entry.

Late Fee:  A late fee of $10 will applied to all entries received after the entry deadline. The entry fee and late fee will only be charged if the player gets accepted into the tournament field. (effective 1/1/13)

Schedule of Play

• Saturday, April 27th:  12:00 PM - 1:57 PM off the 1st and 10th tees
• Sunday, April 28th:  7:30 AM - 9:27 AM off the 1st and 10th tees

Where to Stay

The FSGA does not have a host hotel for this event. There are several hotels one exit north at the Gulf Coast Town Center which are close to shopping and many restaurants.

Click on "Hotels" in the Tournament Link box to the right or use the internet to search for deals. Please note any cancellation policies prior to making reservations.

Practice Round

Players can set-up a practice round at a special discounted rate of $30 plus tax which includes a cart by calling 239-949-4700. Practice rounds are available one week prior to the tournament and after 12:00 PM the weekend before. Times are available on a space available basis. Parents may play for $40 plus tax.

During practice rounds, players are not allowed to play multiple shots off tees or into greens. The playing of multiple shots or slow play may result in the player's removal from the course without a refund.

Walking and Pull/Push Carts

Players must walk and carry their clubs during the competition rounds (pull/push carts are permitted). Caddies are not permitted.

Tees To Play

Tees are not selected until the tournament staff arrives on site. Tournament set-up may change, including yardages, to offset inclement weather or other course conditions (i.e. wet course conditions). Typical yardages are below:

• Boys 13-15 will play approximately 6,600 yards
• Girls 13-15 will play approximately 5,800 yards

National Rankings

This event is ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard.

AJGA - PBE (Performance Based Entrance)

Boys

• Winner receives 1 performance star

Girls

• Winner receives 1 performance star

Spectator Carts

Spectators will be authorized to rent carts, but must follow the Spectator policies. Spectator carts will cost $20 a day, plus tax. Spectator carts may be limited, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Eligibility

Male or female amateur golfers that are members of the FJT may apply for entry. Entries are subject to rejection at any time, including during the event. The reason for rejection may include unbecoming behavior. Please see the Code of Conduct for further details.

Application Procedure

• Tournament applications must be submitted through the website with valid payment. Telephone and fax requests will not be accepted.
• Applicants must have a current FSGA/FJT membership.
• Entries must be received by of the closing date. Late entries are allowed and will be accepted into the tournament field only on a space available basis.
• Players should read the Tournament Policies and Pace of Play policy.
• Players will receive an e-mail that their entry has been received and a second e-mail will be sent if the player is accepted into the field. As a player is not automatically confirmed into the tournament, travel arrangements should not be made until the second confirmation e-mail is received. Review Tournament Policies for further details.

Field Determination Summary

• Players with an unused FJT exemption will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Players without an FJT exemption - all other entries are held until the entry closing date.  Shortly after the closing date, a computer-generated, random draw is performed to determine which entries are accepted, and the order of the alternates.   All players are notified of their status after the random draw is conducted,
• An alternates list will be posted to the FJT website under "Tee Times & Player Information".

Click here for further details.

Registration

Registration will be available prior to the first round. ALL players are expected to register. General tournament information will be distributed at registration.

Tee Times & Pairings

First round tee times and pairings will be available on the website approximately five weeks prior to the tournament. After the completion of the first round, all competitors will be repaired by score, within their age group, for their next round. Final round pairings will be available approximately one-hour after the final score has been posted. Pairings will be available on the website, at the club, and will be sent via text message. It is the player's responsibility to be at his/her respective starting tee at least 10 minutes prior to teeing off. We recommend that you always see your tee time in black and white (in print), and if you still have questions, please contact an FSGA Official at the host facility.

Rules

USGA Rules of Golf will govern play. Review the FSGA Hard Card and Pace of Play Policy. The Notice to Players (local rules and hole locations) will be distributed on the starting tee.

Range Finders - Electronic distance measuring devices are allowed. (effective December 1st, 2012)

Music - Phones and other devices that play music should not be used at the tournament site.  Listening to music during a competitive round will generally result in disqualification under the Rules of Golf.  This is true for all types of competitions - not just FJT (new Rule in 2012).

Pace of Play

The FJT uses a checkpoint pace of play policy that provides no verbal warnings throughout the round. Each group is responsible for playing under the allotted time or finishing each checkpoint hole within 15 minutes of the group ahead of them.

Pace of play will be strictly enforced with anticipated rounds to be less than 4 hours and 45 minutes. We strongly recommend that all players and parents read and understand the Pace of Play Policy.